Ever push open a door without thinking twice about it? Well, here's something that might make you pause the next time: the doorknob, a simple yet ingenious device we use countless times each day, was invented by a Black inventor named Osbourn Dorsey. Before his breakthrough in 1878, people relied on crude pull handles made of bronze or iron to open their doors - imagine that!

Emancipation records tell us that Dorsey was born enslaved in 1862 and gained his freedom when he was just eight months old. He resided in Washington, D.C. with his parents, siblings and brother-in-law Isaac Williams. While some records suggest he worked as an engineer, other details about his life are scarce.

What we do know for sure is this: at just 16 years old, Dorsey invented the doorknob and secured the first documented patent suitable for manufacturing (U.S. Patent Office #210764). Like many Black inventors of his time, Dorsey never reaped financial rewards from his groundbreaking invention. Yet his patent stands as irrefutable proof that he created the doorknob - a device we use countless times each day.

In light of current attempts to ban books, it’s important to fight back and assure that the inventions, creations and other achievements omitted from history are included in all publications at every opportunity.  By sharing these stories, particularly with younger generations, we not only honor our shared heritage but also ensure a more complete and truthful historical record. This knowledge serves as a powerful counter to efforts that would diminish or erase these important historical contributions.

Interested in discovering more Black inventors? Visit Chicago Bungalow to explore their fascinating article "Black Inventors Who Changed the Way We Live at Home." It's an eye-opening look at innovators who transformed our everyday lives.